My Clinical Instructor....What to do?

MissBrittanyRN · Sep 22, 2009

I am sorry to ask since you wanted to spare the details, but I'd like to hear them. How do you know she does not like you? That might help generate some suggestions.

BostonKatie · Sep 22, 2009

she shared with some people that she doesn't like me.

caliotter3 · Sep 22, 2009

she shared with some people that she doesn't like me.

Well that's just hunky dory. I would take that gem of info to the school authorities and get changed to a different instructor. Those statements give you the basis for legal action, should she act upon her negative opinion of you. The school administration should be happy to accommodate your transfer. If that is not possible, you are in for a long, hard road. Good luck.

MissBrittanyRN · Sep 22, 2009

oh, hopefully not other students. needless to say that would be highly unprofessional, and against policy (at my school.) Well I was hoping that I would have enough info to formulate some ideas, but unfortunately that did not spark anything. sorry I cannot be more helpful :-(

I am not sure how long you have been in rotation so far with this instructor, but you said it is too early to worry, so perhaps you do need a little more time to feel her out, and be even more positive that she does not like you ( I believe you, but I felt the same way once, and although I still think I was right about my feeling, it ended up not having a terrible effect on me long term) Please know that I am not blowing your concerns off though. Find out how you guys adjust to one another, and maybe at that point you can get more of a feel of how to approach it.

I agree that you would be doing a disservice to yourself not to ask questions, and I think it is terrible to have a teacher who does not want to teach lol. In the mean time, if you are assigned to that clinical area long term, perhaps you can establish rapport with a nurse(s) who likes to teach, and maybe direct some of your questions there. Good luck to you.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

I am fairly certain my clinical instructor does NOT like me. I know it's becaues I ask too many questions, some that she finds annoying. I can't help it, it's how I learn and I feel like I'm doing myself a disservice to just nod through my clinical time instead of asking questions and learning.
Well I'll spare the details of how I know she doesn't like me. What worries me is, I will have her as an instructor for two years. She also said that he works with hiring nurses. I know the hospitals in my area are all kind of connected and nurses all seem to know each other. I'm worried that her bad opinion of me will follow me when I graduate next year and looking for a job.
I know it's too early to worry about that now but what should I do? I feel terrible because I am so passionate about being in school and I'm really really upset.

To me, the clinical instructor is in the wrong profession, but that is another thread.

Instructors in general seems to get more irritated at questions about things that you should have reviewed or should have known. Depending on your school structure, sometimes the clinical instructor isn't aware of what you are covering in class..which was the case with my school.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 22, 2009

In the end, it is your choice. If you decide to continue to annoy your instructor (knowingly doing things that annoy her) -- then you must be prepared to deal with the consequences of your decision. There are always going to be people in your environment who have power and who might not live up to your ideals. Sometimes, you need to make a few compromises to get along with people who see things a little differently than you do.

You didn't say what types of questions you ask, etc. that annoy her. Maybe she's right to be annoyed. Could it be that you are asking a few too many questions? Or questions that you should know the answer for? Instructors are human and they have every right to get annoyed when students interrupt class with questions that should not need to be asked -- or questions that the student would know the answer to if only done her homework as assigned, etc. You might want to take a step back and review your questions to make sure that they are "reasonable" -- not only in content, but in how and when you ask them. If you have learning difficulties and need additional discussion of the class material (more than your classmates need), perhaps you should find a study partner who also appreciates that extra discussion ... or hire a tutor ... or make an ocassional appointment with your instructor to give her a chance to answer your questions.

In short, you should figure out WHY she finds you annoying and try to avoid those annoying behaviors. Get your learning needs met in ways that do not annoy your instructor. She sounds like a powerful person. Mend your relationship and establish a one that works for both of you. She is only one person: she doesn't have to meet 100% of the needs of every person in class. Find some other resources -- or other strategies to help you meet those needs she cannot meet. That's what you have to do sometimes in life to work with people and get along.

If you choose to annoy her regularly, then you'll need to be prepared for some negative consequences of your choice. It's up to you. As Dr. Phill (and many others say), you can't expect to change all the people you meet in life so that they fulfill all your needs. The only person you can control is you. I'm not saying that your learning needs are not important: I am just saying that you may need to find other resources to help you meet a few of them so that you can establish a positive relationship with your instructor.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 22, 2009

Here's a thought -- have you thought about making an appointment with her to talk about your perceptions & student/teacher relationship? Just be sure to 'own' all the issues - phrase them as "I" messages. (something like -- "I am really learning a lot from you and appreciate your insight and ability to help me understand complex ideas. But I felt that you were annoyed with me when I asked about ____ . That certainly was not my intention. Is there something I can do to make sure that I don't accidentally do this again?")

Unless you are lucky enough to work in much better places than me, you are going to run into communication/perception issues on a regular basis. Learning how to cope with them is always a good idea - especially when the stakes are so high and you are dealing with someone who has so much power over you. It's a skill that will be good to have when dealing with physicians in the future!

niteowlrn29 · Sep 22, 2009

Well this brings back memories of a horrible 2nd semester I had in school. I too asked lots of questions, was curious and loved to learn. I had an instuctor that I know I ticked off from the word go when I asked a question (hind sight think before you speak, i speak to quick) on my data tool evalution for that week she wrote for me "not to question the teachers authority" she took my question as if i was questioning her if she was doing it right. (not my intention at all). So I certaintly sympathize with your situation. my suggestions from personal expreince. Really think before you speak. as one of the other nurses suggested, is it something you should know already, have read ect. other suggestion is to ask a fellow classmate to see if you are the only one who is lost on that certain topic. Careful the way you word your questions (my problem) the tone of your voice can affect the way they percieve your question. do you have another instructor you can ask these questions to? and as far as worry about the future jobs, certaintly you will have other nursing instuctor who can give you letters of recommendations, she shouldn't be the only person. and most of all PRAY! I hope this helps. Stick it out, you will get through this!!

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

I am not sure about having any advice because I don't know enough about the situation, but I will say, an instructor talking poorly about a student to other students is highly unprofessional and unacceptable.

I would also though be hesitant to believe hearsay, It just seems so out of character of an instructor, although I know it does happen, I wouldn't be so quick to be upset about something I wasn't sure of. The type of person that I am. I would set up an appointment with the said instructor and lay things out on the table.

Not rudely, but tell them about your concerns with asking to many questions (maybe even word things that you feel like you are always interrupting with questions and what would she best advice for you to do) many times when a person with lower authority (student, employee etc.) can take the person of higher authority aside and maturely discuss some areas of concern, you will gain that person respect rather then ignoring, being upset, fumbling more because your stressed and upset and so on.

Many times as well, people read to much into something and then you feed into gossip and this irrelevant thing has turned into something very big. (I am not saying this about you specifically but I have seen things like this spiral and in the end the main person that apparently didn't like someone had no idea others felt this way about them.

I hope that made sense, I am feeling like it didn't LOL.